1981 Porsche 935/78 Moby Dick

Model History

Auction sales research

Specifications

Body styles and Chassis Data

Exterior Photos Interior Photos

Racer Chassis Num: 935.81.J.R.001   Sold for $440,000 at 2007 RM Auctions. Sold for $550,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. This 'Moby Dick' Race car was given a lightweight, but strong, aluminum tube frame and a 935 flat-six 3.0-liter engine with twin-turbochargers and intercooled to produce around 700 horsepower. The gearbox was mounted upside-down, which aided in the gear ratio changes and for the titanium drive shaft to run nearly parallel with the ground. The car was designed to win at the 24 Hours of LeMans. The long straight stretches allow for high speeds. To take advantage of the track, the car was given an elongated nose and tail, which gave the car the appearance of a whale. Thus, the Moby Dick nick name was appropriate. Norbert Singer, the Porsche factory's racing director, had created the Moby Dick 935 in order to comply with FIA regulations. Though, his interpretation of the rules was nearly crossing the line, and FIA inspectors had him remove the outer covers to the doors, which had made the car one complete line. The inaugural race for the Porsche 935 Moby Dick was at the Silverstone 6 Hours in May of 1978. It easily finished in first place, a full seven laps ahead of the next competitor, which was a 935 run by a privateer. At LeMans, the car driven by Manfred Schurti and Rolf Stommelen, finished in eight place as an oil leak kept the car from running at its true potential. After this race, the car was sent to the Porsche Museum and never raced again. Reinhold Joest, one of Porsche's more successful privateer teams, was given the drawings for the 935/78 Moby Dick. He constructed two cars with the goal of competing for the German National Championship. The example shown is the first of those two cars. It was driven by Jochen Mass for the Joest Racing Team in 1981. It scored a 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place victory before being leased and then sold to Dr. Gianpiero Moretti. In 1981, Moretti used the car in IMSA competition. He placed second at Mid-Ohio and Portland. It was raced in 1982 and in 1983. Since then, the car has been treated to a complete restoration. At auction, this car was sold, selling for $440,000. In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics in Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $375,000 - $500,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for $550,000. By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009

Auction Sales Information
Auction	Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island
Estimated Value:	$400,000-$500,000
Sale Price	$440,000
Auction	Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions
Estimated Value:	$375,000-$500,000
Sale Price	$550,000

Event	Group
Sports & Classics of Monterey by RM Auctions	1972-1990
Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island	1970-1995